The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .36 caliber, blue finish, "wood" stocks, and factory engraving when shipped to W.A. Thornton, U.S.A., c/o Col. D.D. Tompkins, Asst. Quartermaster General, New York, on April 26, 1861. This shipment was for 10 units. This revolver is engraved in the classic style of Gustave Young, more than likely executed by one of his employees. His shop was responsible for most "factory engraved" Colts in 1854 to 1869 as Colt's main engraving contractors. The factory engraving dot marking appears near the full serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer has five dots indicating around 50 hours were required for the engraving. The Germanic scroll engraving is inhabited by one of Young's distinctive animal head designs above the loading lever screw on the left and has the wolf head motif on the hammer. The barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight and "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-" on top. "COLT'S/PATENT" is engraved on the left side of the frame. The cylinder has the naval battle scene. Matching partial or full serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and arbor pin. The grip features a relief carving of a cuirassier on the left side. Colonel Daniel D. Tompkins (1798-1863) entered West Point in 1814 at the age of 15 and graduated in 1820, was the nephew of Daniel D. Tompkins (Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States), was cited for "gallant and meritorious conduct" during the Second Seminole War, served in the Quartermaster’s Department during the Mexican War, and served as Colonel of the Quartermaster’s Department in New York from 1861 until his death in 1863. During the Civil War, Colonel William A. Thornton (1803-1866) commanded the Watervliet Arsenal, New York from May 15, 1861 to December 25, 1863. At the time Watervliet specialized in in gun cartridges and artillery carriages. Thornton ranked 12th in his West Point class of 1825 and served in the Blackhawk and Florida wars. Besides Watervliet, he also commanded Watertown and the ordnance department at Fort Columbus.

Very good, having a mottled gray patina overall. The cylinder has some minor pitting and retains 50% of the naval scene. The grip straps retain 90% original silver plating. The Young shop engraving is clear. The grip is good with a stabilized crack (right side), some hairline age cracking on the bottom, and provisions for an overlay on the right side. Mechanically fine. A factory documented factory engraved Model 1851 shipped to any Civil War commander would be a grand statement in any Colt percussion or Civil War collection! Provenance: The John Fox Collection.